WIREDGOV

Cllr Roy Perry, Vice Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, responded to a report by the Education Policy Institute on school performance in academy chains and local authorities

“What is more important to councils than the type of school is that every child gets the education they deserve and that will serve them best.

“This is why government needs to allow councils to be the effective education improvement partners they can be, ready and able to support schools of all types. There are so many ways councils can help schools and they are the democratic voice of a local community with respect to education.

“Councils have an excellent track record in maintaining high educational standards and also in turning round failing schools, with more than 91 per cent of council maintained schools now rated good or outstanding by Ofsted.

“Across the country, hundreds of schools, often in disadvantaged areas, are already being turned around thanks to the intervention of councils to deliver and maintain strong leadership, outstanding classroom teaching and appoint effective support staff and governors.

“Councils stand ready to step in and help schools where necessary. Councils should be given freedom to set up their own MATs if that is the wish of the local community and they should be given the powers to do so.”